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Coatesville school issues appear to go beyond racist texting

There could be more than racial issues plaguing the Coatesville Area School District as a criminal investigation continues. The focus of the probe remains unclear.

Attorney Sam Stretton represents the district’s director of technology, who uncovered the racist text messages exchanged by Coatesville’s former superintendent and former athletic director on school-issued phones. Stretton also represents another district employee who brought the messages to light.

He said his clients want two more district officials gone.

“There has to be some decisions made about getting rid of the solicitor and that acting superintendent, because both of them are heavily involved in these matters and until they are gone there can be no real change or reform,” Stretton said. “They have been targeting my clients to intimidate them to some extent and that’s just not acceptable.”

The district and school board have repeatedly denied intimidating or retaliating against the whistle-blowers.

Stretton said hearings scheduled next week by the NAACP could be problematic because the Chester County district attorney is still investigating.

“There are issues of not only racism and not only ethnic comments, but there are also issues of misuse of funds which that DA is investigating,” Stretton said.

In addition to the racist comments, the text messages published by the Daily Local News in West Chester several times mention money spent on school trips and alleged kickbacks.

A representative of the district attorney said Wednesday the office does not comment on ongoing cases.